By Vince Matthew Jaramilla

Representing Far Eastern University (FEU), Tamaraw Booters Viejay Frigillano and Karl Absalon displayed their bond as teammates while showcasing the FEU Manila and Diliman campuses in their special feature in the fourth episode of School Spirit Season 2 released last July 2.

Different parts of the Manila campus and their history were highlighted in the episode including the Administration Building, Cubist Sculptures, FEU Plaza, FEU Grandstand, and Tayuman Canteen.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Rookie of the Year (ROY) Absalon mentioned his delight to have toured the Manila campus for the first time.

“Sobrang saya po kasi first time ko nakalibot sa FEU Morayta [Manila]… Marami rin akong natutuhan about sa history ng Morayta like madaming arts na nandu’n sa loob ng mga building (I’m very happy because it was my first time to go around FEU Morayta [Manila]. I learned a lot about the history there in Morayta like the number of arts there are inside the buildings),” he said.

As they visited numerous spots in the University, the booters recounted their struggles of living far from their hometowns and their dreams for success as student-athletes.

UAAP Season 85 MVP and Season 86 Best Defender Frigillano also narrated his acceptance into the Tamaraw Booters roster after a player backed out which fortunately gave him a slot. Absalon then mentioned the help of his late brother Kieth Absalon in his tryouts for the team.

In the latter part of the episode, the green-and-gold standouts took to the Diliman campus to exhibit their skills in the field and talk about their closeness which rooted from being roommates.

The two then looked back on the memories of the departed Absalon and his influence on the two players.

"Lahat ng mga pinaghirapan namin before [Season 85], inaalay namin sa'yo, Kieth. Tinupad namin 'yung pangarap mo na mag-champion sa UAAP. Wala ka man dito pero tinupad namin ang gusto mong mangyari sa team (All our hard work before Season 85, we offer to you, Kieth. We made your dream to be a UAAP champion come true. You may not be here but we fulfilled what you wanted for the team)," Frigillano stated in the episode.

In the same interview, Absalon shared his gladness to be featured together in the show with Frigillano.

“It’s very great po kasi since [pagkapasok] ko sa college, si Kuya Viejay is nandiyan talaga to guide me and ‘yung mga rookies inside and outside the field and grabe ‘yung brotherhood namin kasi for me, siya ‘yung sumunod ko na kuya rito sa FEU (It’s very great because since I entered college, Kuya Viejay has been there to guide me and the rookies inside and outside the field and our brotherhood is something else because for me, he is my second brother here in FEU),” the Season 85 ROY mentioned.

The Morayta forward also expressed his hope for the audience to remember the connection they displayed.

“Gusto ko na tumatak sa mga viewers ‘yung brotherhood kasi bilang student-athlete, malayo ka sa family mo, [pero] nandiyan ang teammates mo… Like sa [men’s football], ‘yung sinisigaw namin before games, ‘Sama-sama!’, kasi kahit anong mangyari, para kami ritong magkakapatid na nagtutulungan (I want our brotherhood to leave a mark on the viewers because as a student-athlete, you are apart from your family but your teammates are there… Like in men’s football, we shout, ‘All together!’, because whatever happens, we are like brothers who help each other),” he added.

To conclude the episode, host and former student-athlete Diego Dario remarked Frigillano and Absalon's 'deep sense of companionship' and FEU being a 'sanctuary' to its students.

School Spirit Season 2 is a UAAP Varsity Channel show in the Pilipinas Live app which showcases athletes and campuses of a specific UAAP school per episode.

(Photos by Kayla Babista/FEU Advocate)